EastEnders have finally confirmed the return of two show stars on Thursday as a devastating death will rock the BBC soap.

Viewers of the long-running show are in for a treat as Max Bowden and Ricky Champ are officially reprising their fan-favourite roles.

Max, 30, plays Ben Mitchell but was axed from EastEnders in 2023 by the show’s former executive producer Chris Clenshaw.

Meanwhile, Ricky, 45, starred as Stuart Highway from 2018 until his departure from Albert Square in 2022.

It was previously revealed how the men had agreed to return to the show, though the storyline was kept under wraps by bosses.

Now, the BBC has revealed both Ben and Stuart will return to Walford for a funeral.

EastEnders have finally confirmed the return of two show stars on Thursday as a devastating death will rock the BBC soap

Viewers of the long-running show are in for a treat as Max Bowden and Ricky Champ are officially reprising their fan-favourite roles

Ricky, 45, starred as Stuart Highway from 2018 and wreaked havoc until his departure from Albert Square in 2022

A first look snap shows the pair donning black suits for the morbid day as the Highways prepare to say goodbye to Jonno.

Ben can be seen handcuffed, with EastEnders bosses explaining the character is only on day release from prison for the service.

Teasing their return, the BBC said: ‘Whilst both characters are only back for a short stint as Ben is on day release from Prison, and Stuart has a life away from the Square with wife Raine, you’d think that all things would be smooth sailing, but this is Walford, and a lot can happen in a short amount of time…’

It’s understood both actors are not returning to the show full time and this stint is a guest role only.

Revealing Max’s return as Ben, a TV insider previously told The Sun: ‘Ben had a list of characters he wanted to bring back and Ben Mitchell was one.

‘It’s taken a little while to sort out but Max will be back filming on Albert Square later this year.’

The actor is currently performing in West End musical Midnight Cowboy and the show’s new boss reportedly visited him at the theatre to ‘see where his head was at’.

Reacting to the news, one EastEnders fan said: ‘So happy about this. we need stuart and ben back permanently!’

It’s understood both actors are not returning to the show full time and this stint is purely a guest role only

EastEnders have been left delighted by the news as they flooded social media with reactions

A second posted: ‘Looking forward to having Ben and Stuart back in Walford for a short stint later this year for Jonno’s funeral.

‘Although I wonder how #EastEnders are going to explain the fact that Ben is on day release from a US prison to attend his homophobic father in Laws funeral?’

‘Glad to see Stuart (Ricky Champ) back even if it’s a short return. Callum lost that family support when Stuart & Rainie left,’ said a third.

A fourth commented: ‘So happy with this. Well done EastEnders.’

Max, who is the sixth actor to play Ben, was involved in some of the soap’s biggest storylines of late.

Ben struggled to cope with the death of Lola Pearce-Brown (Danielle Harold) who was mother to his daughter Lexi.

He then developed eating disorder bulimia as he attempted to work through his grief.

A second posted: ‘Looking forward to having Ben and Stuart back in Walford for a short stint later this year for Jonno’s funeral.

‘Although I wonder how #EastEnders are going to explain the fact that Ben is on day release from a US prison to attend his homophobic father in Laws funeral?’

‘Glad to see Stuart (Ricky Champ) back even if it’s a short return. Callum lost that family support when Stuart & Rainie left,’ said a third.

A fourth commented: ‘So happy with this. Well done EastEnders.’

Max, who is the sixth actor to play Ben, was involved in some of the soap’s biggest storylines of late.

Ben struggled to cope with the death of Lola Pearce-Brown (Danielle Harold) who was mother to his daughter Lexi.

He then developed eating disorder bulimia as he attempted to work through his grief.